FIFA highlights Vietnamese football ahead of World Cup

They will go up against four-time winners the United States in Auckland on July 22, before taking on Portugal on July 27 and 2019 runners-up the Netherlands on August 1 in what looks like a daunting Group E.

The Southeast Asian Games champions however still have highlights including five players to watch at the global football festival.

The world football governing body FIFA has listed five influential Vietnamese who are expected to make bangs as the nation prepares for a historic first World Cup appearance.

As goalkeeper is always an important position in a team. Tran Thi Kim Thanh has proved her qualities through local to international competition.

FIFA believes that the 29-year-old is in no small part down to her sensational form at the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Her athleticism and sharp reflexes caught the eye throughout the tournament and she made more saves than any other goalkeeper.

World Cup qualification ultimately came down to two play-off matches against Thailand and Chinese Taipei – and Thanh produced faultless performances as Viet Nam won both games to secure their place at the global showpiece.

Midfielder Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy is the second name in the list. Being a late football trainer but Thuy quickly lures attention of all coaches from club to national teams. Since making her Viet Nam debut as a teenager 10 years ago, Thuy has matured into one of the national team's most influential performers.

The 29-year-old is responsible for scoring one of the most significant goals in Vietnamese football history, with her winning strike against Chinese Taipei sealing the nation's maiden qualification for a men's or women's World Cup.

That decisive effort offered a glimpse of her impressive quality, with Thuy expertly controlling a raking crossfield pass before powering home an emphatic finish.

In a recent interview with FIFA, she revealed her belief she can hit peak form Down Under and help Viet Nam shine on the game's greatest stage.

Coach Mai Duc Chung believes that it is Thuy who can score for Viet Nam in the July 20-August 20 tournament.

Midfielder Tran Thi Thuy Trang is the oldest and most experienced player in the team. Aged 34, Trang brings experience and technique to the team and has been described by coach Chung as a "role model to our young players".

An inspiring figure in the heat of battle, the deputy captain's tireless work-ethic and fighting spirit is infectious. Faced with elite opposition at the Australia and New Zealand event, Trang's composure on the ball will also be key to Viet Nam retaining possession and easing pressure.

Young midfielder Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha also impresses FIFA with her outstanding performance.

Aged 21, Nha is at the forefront of an exciting young generation of Vietnamese players, according to the world football body.

Her direct running and trickery frequently puts opposition defences on the back foot, and she will go to the World Cup on a high after scoring in the gold-medal match at May's Southeast Asian Games. Her fine curling strike sealed Viet Nam a 2-0 victory over Myanmar.

She also scored a goal for the team in a 2-1 friendly match against giant Germany during their European training course in June.

Nha's versatility also makes her a valuable asset for coach Chung. She is equally comfortable when operating from either flank or a central role.

Last but not least is captain Huynh Nhu. 

Fast, skilful and a clinical finisher, Viet Nam's pioneering star forward provides the team's chief attacking threat.

Nhu is her country's all-time record goal scorer – she has netted at a rate of almost a goal per game at international level – and last year became first female Vietnamese player to join a professional European club.

Nhu signed for Portuguese top-flight outfit Lank Vilaverdense and, in her debut season, scored seven times and laid on two assists.

The World Cup will begin on July 20. The opening match will be a contest between co-host New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park, Auckland.

The final is scheduled on August 20 at Sydney Olympic Stadium in Australia. The United States are the defending champions, having won the previous two (2015 and 2019) tournaments./.